Education: I met my wife at Spring Arbor University. Each of us earned our BA from Spring Arbor. I’m preparing to enroll in Northwest Nazarene University’s M.Div program (with an emphasis on Missional Leadership) in Fall 2008.

Experience: This is my first local church. I was appointed in 1999. At that time, the church was in a major decline: weekly attendance was less than 20, there was more than $32,000 in debt. By God’s grace and power, our church has turned around. We were debt-free within two years and we continue to enjoy steady growth.

Comment to those looking at my sermons: Thanks for browsing. I’m keen to receive feedback; encouragement is nice criticism is welcome. I’m new to the SC community.

Family: I’ve been married since 1997. In 2005, we adopted a baby girl from China. In 2008, we will adopt a second daughter from Taiwan. I was born in Wolverine; my family roots go back three generations on both sides. I enjoy living within proximity of my parents; altogether, there are about two dozen members of extended family living within a fifteen mile radius.

What my parents think of my sermons: My parents attend my church. My father is on staff, he’s an licensed professional counselor with a doctorate of ministry. He’s way over-qualified to work for me! My folks like my sermons; but they’re gracious and mature. My mom can find of kernel of nourishing truth in any message; my dad reminds me that good messages are usually simple...and short.

What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: She doesn’t like the fact that I tend to refer to myself quite often; but she’s willing to put up with it as long as I don’t ever talk about her! Recently, she gave me a big hug after I closed a passionate sermon. It was better than having Gatorade dumped over my head. My feet still haven’t come all the way back down to the ground since that affirmation.

Best advice given to me about preaching: Use your own sense of humor; pay attention to timing--and don’t be afraid of silence.

Something funny that happened while preaching: True story: I was preaching to a record Easter Sunday crowd a few years ago; following a carefully crafted transcipt. Things were going very well. Wrapping up an illustration about our hope of heaven, I declared that we would live together and revel in "glorious immorality." Spell check didn’t catch the missing "t." Everyone in the congregation did. They roared!

Newest Sermons

Contributed on May 11, 2008

based on 7 ratings

| 3,188 views

Does "accidental" repentance "count?"

Shrewd Christianity
The Parable of the Shred Manager (Luke 16:1-9)
1There was once a rich man who had a manager. He got reports that the manager had been taking advantage of his position by running up huge personal expenses.
2So he called him in and said, “What’s this I hear about you?
...read more

Contributed on Jan 4, 2008

based on 2 ratings

| 1,318 views

A very punny, scholarly-inclined exploration into the contextual implications of Simon’s new name: Peter.

“Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’ As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake—for they
...read more

Contributed on Jan 4, 2008

based on 1 rating

| 1,087 views

Honest, hilarious, and helpful message from this dad’s heart to yours. It’s not "preachy," or even "teachy" -- it was very well received.

Children change a marriage.
So says Elisa Morgan, president and CEO of MOPS International, Inc. She joined forces with Carol Kuykendall (MOPS director of communication) and turned the understated cliché (“children change a marriage”) into the title of a helpful book.
On the back cover:
...read more

Contributed on Jan 4, 2008

Compelling look at the story of Jesus in the Temple from an innovative perspective (with scholarly support). A message for the whole church; not just parents. Good illustrations.

Just before Jesus stepped into the spotlight, God raised up John the Baptist “to turn the hearts of the parents toward their children, and the disobedient toward the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17 NRSV) What does it look like when parents turn
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Contributed on Dec 14, 2007

based on 3 ratings

| 1,324 views

Applies a "mountaineering" metaphor to the Christian journey to illustrate the difference between a burden ("boulder") and a load ("backpack"). First person perspective, honest illustrations from my own experience. Engaging stories, easy applicability,

In 1953, John Hunt organized an assault-style expedition to Mt. Everest. He enlisted an army of Sherpas to serve as porters. The porters established the climbing route, built bridges across the glacier, and stockpiled supplies at strategic locations up the mountain. One of the Sherpas was named
...read more

Newest Sermon Illustrations

Contributed on May 11, 2008

| 687 views

In the hands of ordinary Christians, small social groups are a big spiritual deal. This is because "ordinary Christians" have more credibility than the ordained clergy. A guy named Herb Miller did some great research:
* When first-time visitors to a local church receive a "glad you came"
...read more

Contributed on May 11, 2008

| 870 views

GROWTH TYPES
George G. Hunter III has a shrewd mind after God's heart, and he has identified several areas of growth that must all occur in a working church:
- Internal Growth: this kind of growth takes place
in the lives of people who are already coming to
the church.
...read more

Contributed on May 11, 2008

| 314 views

Let’s take a closer look at the dishonest manager (Luke 16:1-9). At the beginning of the story, he is stealing from people. At the end of the story, he is no longer stealing from people. He repented--“accidentally.”
Obviously, he didn’t repent because he felt that stealing was wrong; he
...read more

Contributed on Jan 4, 2008

based on 2 ratings

| 1,098 views

“Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’ As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake—for they
...read more

Contributed on Jan 4, 2008

based on 3 ratings

| 658 views

Simon was a loyal disciple; he followed his rabbi closely, observing and learning. One day, Simon realized that his rabbi was actually the Messiah. He didn’t figure that out by himself. Jesus said: “Simon, son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this
...read more